Laboratory Medicine Updates - January 15, 2007

University of Virginia Health
System

Medical Laboratories

"Quality You Expect, Service
You Deserve"

LABORATORY MEDICINE
UPDATE

January 15, 2007

Influenza A/B Screen

Beginning January 15, 2007, the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular
Diagnostics Laboratory will perform reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR
for the detection and differentiation of Influenza A and B from
nasopharyngeal washes, aspirates and swabs. The Influenza A/B PCR
test performed with equivalent sensitivity and specificity when
compared to culture. It therefore will replace the viral culture
component of the Influenza A/B Screen. The test will be performed
once daily, with results usually reported the day following
collection. Testing of other respiratory specimen types for
influenza (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, etc.) will require
clinicians to order a full respiratory viral culture.

Among the advantages of this test is a significant decrease in time
to finalized results and subsequent enhanced management of patients on
Contact/Droplet precautions due to suspected influenza infection.
All reports will contain the following comment: "When ruling out
influenza, place adults on Droplet precautions and children on
Contact/Droplet precautions until resolution of symptoms or until lab
results are negative (flu culture is negative on day 5 or flu
PCR is negative)".